The Lenox Hotel, a 126-year-old fixture at the corner of Boylston and Exeter streets in Boston's Back Bay, will close more than 210 guest rooms starting this weekend as crews prepare to renovate them. Construction is set to begin Monday, and the closure is expected to last several months.
The project will cover more than 210 guest rooms. The Saunders family has owned the Lenox since 1963.
The Lenox's restaurants have also seen changes in recent years: Sólás Irish Pub and City Bar were remodeled and rebranded as Sweeney's on Boylston and the Irving at the Lenox when they reopened on November 1, 2024, according to Boston Magazine.
What Happens to the Staff
The closure raises obvious questions for the people who work there.
Saunders Hotel Group says the Lenox has undergone $50 million in renovations since 2007.
A Landmark With Deep Roots
Built in 1900, the Lenox has long held a place in Boston's cultural and architectural identity. Hotel records compare it to New York City's 1,000-room Waldorf Astoria, and Saunders Hotel Group describes the property as Boston's answer to that storied Manhattan address.
The hotel's history includes a famous guest: Judy Garland stayed at the Lenox many times. The hotel has a suite named in her honor.
Industry-Wide Reckoning With Aging Properties
The Lenox's temporary closure fits into a broader pattern the hospitality industry is facing, as operators grapple with the cost of modernizing aging properties, per the Globe's reporting. The renovation is intended to position the hotel at the upper end of the four-star category; the Lenox currently lacks some amenities associated with five-star properties, including a swimming pool.
In New York, the Plaza Hotel is also shutting its doors for renovation work. The Washington Post reported that the Plaza's renovation work would force it to close for about four years, dwarfing the Lenox's planned several-month timeline.
For now, Back Bay visitors will have to wait several months before the Lenox's guest rooms welcome overnight stays again.
